THE WALL OF FACES

In an act of heroism above and beyond the call of duty, this American gave his life so that others might live. We honor his memory and sacrafice by preserving the torch of liberty that has been passed to us.

Fr Watters first served with 1st Battalion, 503d infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade, where we loved his style, especially when he went through Propblast. We were sorry to have him transferred to another battalion within the Brigade. But he obviously had a call there, as witnessed by his heroism. When it came down to demonstrating his courage and his faith, he set the example which can never be surpassed.
Better love hath no man, than to lay down his life for another.
God Bless You, Fadda!

My name is John Berry. It is my high honor to have known Father Watters. I was not catholic but went to his services on occasion. He usually was in his typical east coast fast talk mode. The services he preformed the morning we went up on 875 he was unusually slow and deliberate. In retrospect it was almost like he had knowledge of what was going to happen.

As D Company RTO with my friend and bro Robert Flemming, we saw Father Watters coming from the very front lines of the battle. As he passed by we asked him where his helmet was. His reply was "I cary my protection a little higher". With that he was off to attend the wounded. That was the last time I saw him.

God bless you Father Watters, as we have been blessed in having known you.

MAJOR

CHARLES JOSEPH WATTERS

CHAPLAIN

UNITED STATES ARMY

COMPANY ' A '

173rd SUPPORT BATTALION

173rd AIRBORNE BRIGADE


<><><><>CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR<><><><>


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CITATION

FOR THE AWARD OF THE

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR

NEAR DAK TO PROVINCE

REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

NOVEMBER 19, 1967


For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his
life above and beyond the call of duty. Chaplain Watters distinguished
himself during an assault in the vicinity of Dak To. Chaplain Watters
was moving with one of the companies when it engaged a heavily
armed enemy battalion. As the battle raged and casualties mounted,
Chaplain Watters, with complete disregard for his safety, rushed
forward to the line of contact. Unarmed and completely exposed, he
moved among, as well as in front of the advancing troops, giving aid
to the wounded, assisting in their evacuation, giving words of
encouragement, and administering the last rites to the dying. When a
wounded paratrooper was standing in shock in front of the assaulting
forces, Chaplain Watters ran forward, picked the man up on his
shoulders and carried him to safety. As the troopers battled to the
first enemy entrenchment, Chaplain Watters ran through the intense
enemy fire to the front of the entrenchment to aid a fallen comrade.
A short time later, the paratroopers pulled back in preparation for a
second assault. Chaplain Watters exposed himself to both friendly
and enemy fire between the two forces in order to recover two
wounded soldiers. Later, when the battalion was forced to pull back
into a perimeter, Chaplain Watters noticed that several wounded
soldiers were lying outside the newly formed perimeter. Without
hesitation and ignoring attempts to restrain him, Chaplain Watters
left the perimeter three times in the face of small arms, automatic
weapons, and mortar fire to carry and to assist the injured troopers
to safety. Satisfied that all of the wounded were inside the
perimeter, he began aiding the medics - applying field bandages to
open wounds, obtaining and serving food and water, giving spiritual
and mental strength and comfort. During his ministering he moved
out to the perimeter from position to position redistributing food and
water, and tending to the needs of his men. Chaplain Watters was
giving aid to the wounded when he himself was mortally wounded.
Chaplain Watters' unyielding perseverance and selfless devotion to
his comrades was in keeping with the highest traditions of the
United States Army. He gallantly gave his life for his country.


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THE PROUD YOUNG VALOR THAT ROSE ABOVE THE MORTAL
AND THEN, AT LAST, WAS MORTAL AFTER ALL



YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN
NOR SHALL YOU EVER BE



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IN COMMEMORATION OF ALL

SKY SOLDIERS

WHOSE VALOR AND SACRIFICE

IN DEFENSE OF SOUTH VIETNAM

MUST NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

" ALL GAVE SOME --- SOME GAVE ALL "


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THE FOLLOWING IS A NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT

OF THE PRECEEDING BATTLE IN WHICH BOTH

CHAPLAIN CHARLES JOSEPH WATTERS AND

PRIVATE FIRST CLASS CARLOS JAMES LOZADA

BECAME RECIPIENTS OF THE

CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR


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40 AMERICANS DIE IN HIGHLAND FIGHT
PARATROOPERS BATTLE FOE NEAR DAK TO BASE


SAIGON, South Vietnam, (AP) Monday, November 20, 1967 -

Forty American paratroopers were killed yesterday during heavy fighting
near Dak To in the Central Highlands, a United States spokesman said today.

Fighting flared up in the early afternoon between troops of the 173rd
Airborne Brigade and North Vietnamese regulars entrenched in the hills
around the mountain outpost.

After a minor skirmish between a company of paratroopers and about
15 to 20 North Vietnamese in prepared positions a second company of
Americans clashed with a force of unknown size about half a mile away.

The Unted States command spokesman said seven North Vietnamese
were killed in one of the actions and gave no account of enemy dead in
the other, The Associated Press reported.

The North Vietnamese used small arms and high powered automatic
rifles and backed their attack with mortars.

THIRD COMPANY JOINS BATTLE

A third United States company joined the battle and engaged a North
Vietnamese force about 240 yards away. The North Vietnamese broke
off contact soon after dusk.

The casualties raised total United States deaths since fighting began in
the area to 197 killed and 750 wounded.


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